Dhunuchi Dance is associated with Durga Worship in West Bengal. To appease Goddess Durga, devotees perform Dhunuchi along with the rhythmic beats of Dhak (ढाक) during Durga Puja. Dhunuchi Dance is usually performed on Shashthi Tithi during the evening Aarti. The devotee who performs it known as Dhanucchi who balances the earthen bowl containing burning incense either with his hands or on his forehead or in his mouth.
Dhunuchi Dance is called Dhunuchi because it is performed with Dhunachi (धुनाची). Dhunachi is a native Indian incense burner used during Aarti. The Dhunachi has a flared shape and held by a stem and it has a large cavity at the top. Dhunachi is traditionally made of earthenware so that heat is insulated from the handle and it can be hold in arms for long duration without any discomfort. Dhunachi is lit by placing burning coal at the bottom, which ignites a layer of slow-burning coconut husk, on which incense (usually camphor) is sprinkled.
In Eastern India especially in West Bengal, Dhunuchi Nritya is very common during Durga Puja. Dhunuchi dance is performed with two Dhunachi in hands (with single Dhunachi in each hand) along with the frenzy beat of Bengali country drums known as Dhak. In many communities, Dhunuchi competitions are organized and some dancers perform Dhunuchi dance with as many as three Dhunachi by holding third Dhunachi between the teeth.
Durga Puja is performed in various ways every year during the fifteen-day Devi Paksha, which is also popular as Navratri, Durgotsava, and Shardotsava. Goddess Lakshmi, Goddess Saraswati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya are also worshiped in Durga Puja.
auspicious time for Kalash Sthapana
The complete schedule of Durga Puja has been published here. Durga Puja is an important Hindu festival, which is also popular by the names of Durgotsava and Shardotsava. On the auspicious occasion of Durga Puja, special Navadurga forms of Goddess Maa Durga is worshipped.
Shardiya Navratri is the most popular and significant Navratri of all Navratris. That's why Shardiya Navratri is also known as Maha Navratri.
Sandhi Puja Muhurta is listed on this page. Sandhi Puja is performed during Navratri festival. Sandhi Puja is performed at a special time at the end of Ashtami Tithi and beginning of Navami Tithi. At this special moment Goddess Chamunda was appeared to kill the demons named Chand-Munda.
On the day of Vijayadashami, Lord Shri Rama killed Demon Ravana and Goddess Durga killed the buffalo demon Mahishasura. Therefore, this day is celebrated as the victory of Dharma over Adharma. On the occasion of Vijayadashami, rituals like Shami Puja, Aparajita Puja, Simollanghana etc. are performed.
Since ancient times, Ayudha Puja is performed on the occasion of Mahanavami of Maha Navratri. According to mythological beliefs, on this day Goddess Durga defeated the demon Mahishasura after a fierce nine-day war. In South India, this festival is also celebrated as Saraswati Puja.
This page provides details of nine types of leaves used during Durga Puja, which are called Navapatrika. The worship of Goddess Durga by nine leaves is known as Navapatrika Puja. Bengal This festival is popular by the name of Kalabau Puja.
Ambe Tu Hai Jagadambe Kali is the most prevalent and popular aarti dedicated to Goddess Durga. This aarti is also sung in daily worship including on various occasions related to Mother Goddess. This aarti is very sweet and melodious and its singing pleases the Mother Goddess.
Shri Durga Chalisa is a prayer consisting of 40 verses dedicated to Goddess Durga, reciting it with devotion pleases the Mother Goddess and bestows her blessings. Goddess Durga is one of the supreme goddesses of Hindu religion. By the grace of Goddess Durga, devotees gain strength, courage and bravery.
Here is the list of 108 names of Goddess Durga, these 108 names are also known as Ashtottara Shatnamavali. These 108 names of Mother Goddess provide peace and joy. Reciting these 108 names daily increases enthusiasm and joy along with the blessings of the Goddess Durga.
Here is the list Durga Saptashati all chapters. Shri Durga Saptashati is a famous scripture dedicated to Goddess Durga divided into 700 verses and 13 chapters, which originates from the Markandeya Purana written by sage Markandeya. By reciting Durga Saptashati, the seeker attains various Siddhis and finally attains salvation.
Goddess Parvati is worshiped in nine different forms like Shailputri, Brahmacharini, Chandraghanta, Kushmanda etc. These nine forms of Mata Parvati are famous all over the world as Navadurga. During the Navratri festival, elaborate worship of the divine Navadurga forms of Mother Goddess is done.
The 10 main forms of Goddess Shakti are worshipped as Dasha Mahavidya. The Dasha Mahavidyas are the presiding powers of different directions. Through the worship and Sadhana of Dasha Mahavidya, spiritual seekers attain various types of Siddhis.
Here are attractive greetings and e-cards for Durga Puja to send to your friends and family on this auspicious occasion. These greetings and e-cards have been published in both Hindi and English languages with beautiful pictures of Goddess Durga.
Here, greetings and e-cards for Navratri festival dedicated to Goddess Durga have been given, through which you can send the best wishes of this holy festival of Navratri to your friends and loved ones. These greetings are available with beautiful pictures of the Goddess.
Here the method of making beautiful Alpana designs of Bengal has been presented step by step through pictures. Under the ancient cultural tradition, rangolis made with different colors are known as Alpana. Alpana is made on important auspicious occasions.
The complete Ghatasthapana Vidhi is provided here in detail. Ghatasthapana is a major and essential part of Navratri festival. On the first day of Navratri, Mother Goddess is invoked in the Kalash through Ghatasthapana. Only after this Navratri worship and fasting begins.
Here a pictorial description of 7 types of grains used during Navratri is given, which are collectively known as Saptadhyaya. Under Saptadhyanya, grains like barley, sesame, paddy, Moong and Kangni etc. have been included, which are very dear to Mother Goddess.
Here is a detailed method of offering Pushpanjali with the mantra at the time of Durga Puja has been provided. The act of joining the palms of both the hands and offering flowers in them is called Pushpanjali. In many major temples of Goddess Durga, flowers are regularly offered on every Saptami, Ashtami and Navami Tithi.
Here the detailed Shodashopachara Durga Puja Vidhi for doing Durga Puja during Navratri is described. Goddess Durga is worshipped through sixteen stepsc during Shodashopachara puja. One attains happiness, peace and prosperity by worshiping Goddess Durga.
